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Chapter 623 Wang Shouren Sells Crutches

Upon hearing the order, the Bozhou soldiers who had been protecting the two immediately turned their guns around and surrounded Wang Shouren and An Wanzhong.

An Wanzhong drew his sword to protect Wang Shouren, but Wang Shouren patted him on the shoulder. "Don't act rashly, don't worry."

After the two men were disarmed, a troop of soldiers rushed out of Feifeng Pass. The young man at the head, riding a tall horse and wearing a crimson military robe, bore a striking resemblance to Yang Bin. He glared at Wang Shouren as if he wanted to devour him, and launched into a rapid-fire barrage of angry words:
"You old scoundrel, why did you sow discord between my father and me, instigate my father to return and seize my position as the Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou! Today I will kill you to vent my hatred!"

“So it’s Young Master Yang,” Wang Shouren said calmly, bowing respectfully. “Young Master Yang, please calm down and don’t wrong me. You were merely the acting Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou at the time, without any official appointment from the court. After your father returned, you should have returned the position to him. How can you say you ‘usurped the throne’?”

The visitor was Yang Bin's eldest son, Yang Xiang, who had served as acting Pacification Commissioner of Bozhou during his tenure as Provincial Governor of Sichuan.

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiang's anger intensified, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Stop with your sweet talk! This matter cannot be settled like this! If it weren't for your interference, the position of Pacification Commissioner would be mine!"

Wang Shouren shook his head and said solemnly, "Young master, you are unaware of the implications—what I did that day was actually to save your life!"

If Su Lu were here, he'd probably be secretly laughing at him again, calling him a master of clickbait...

But Yang Xiang clearly lacked experience in this area and was still taken aback by Wang Shouren, saying, "What, you're going to save me?"

“Yes, think about it carefully. When your father returns, if you insist on refusing to abdicate, what good will come of it?” Wang Shouren then widened his eyes and patiently persuaded him:
"If you were to kill him, you would be a patricide and a rebellious son, condemned for all eternity. Not only would your father have served as the Provincial Judge of Sichuan, but the imperial court would surely dismiss you and hold you accountable. At best, you would be executed; at worst, your entire family would be implicated. Furthermore, if you dare not kill him and only dare to sideline him, that would be an even greater death sentence..."

Wang Shouren paused, noticing that Yang Xiang's breathing had changed in sync with the rhythm of his speech. Knowing this, he became even more certain and said:
"Your father has always been arrogant and proud. When the provincial governor was unhappy, he resigned and left, still harboring ambitions to annex Yongning. How could such a ruthless man swallow this insult? Once he recovers, he will seize the opportunity and kill you without hesitation to vent his hatred!"

"We don't know yet..." Yang Xiang wanted to say, 'Who will kill whom is still uncertain,' but he wasn't stupid enough to say such a thing out loud.

Wang Shouren simply looked at Yang Xiang with a relaxed demeanor, yet he had already seen through his innermost thoughts, and continued:
"Do you really think that just because you've taken the position of Pacification Commissioner, you can command the winds and rains and control Bozhou? How laughable! Why don't you ask yourself, if something really big happens, will the seven chieftains listen to your orders or to your father, the old envoy with deep roots? You're still young and your power is still shallow, how can you possibly defeat him?"

"So, from the day your father voluntarily resigned, everything was already destined. His seeking my advice actually gave me the opportunity to persuade him to make a decision sooner rather than later, lest he drag things out and end up in a tragedy of father and son killing each other." Wang Shouren raised his voice as he spoke:

"Tell me, didn't I save your life?"

"This, this counts too?" Yang Xiang was dumbfounded. He was actually grateful to Wang Shouren in his heart, but he still couldn't save face.

Then Wang Shouren boldly declared:

"And I not only saved your life once, I'm going to save your life again!"

"You're going to save me again?" The anger on Yang Xiang's face had vanished, replaced by utter shock. He asked blankly, "Am I in danger again?"

“Naturally.” Wang Shouren nodded, his words sharp as knives: “Throughout history, I have never heard of a deposed crown prince who met a peaceful end!”

Yang Xiang's face immediately turned deathly pale...

Wang Shouren then added insult to injury: "Moreover, I've heard that your father favors the son born to his concubine. How could your brother possibly resist secretly urging your father to take this opportunity to get rid of you, this obstacle in his way?"

These words struck Yang Xiangxin like a heavy hammer, making him breathless and covered in sweat... Clearly, Wang Shouren had hit his biggest worry!

He dropped his sword with a clang, dismounted, knelt before Wang Shouren, raised his head, and said in a tearful voice, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. I am like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—I didn't recognize a kind heart! Please, sir, tell me how to save me?"

Wang Shouren then leaned close to his ear and slowly said:
“Chong’er was born outside, Shen was born inside and died.”

Yang Xiang had been groomed from childhood to become the next Pacification Commissioner, and he had even read the *Records of the Grand Historian*. He instantly grasped the profound meaning of those words, and was immediately shaken to his core…

However, he was only a dabbler, with limited knowledge and a lack of composure. Such people are most easily fooled by so-called masters, let alone Wang Shouren, who was a true master.

Moreover, Wang Shouren possessed a succubus-like quality, patiently and incisively guiding and persuading Yang Xiang along the way, his words striking a chord with Yang Xiang and completely winning over the troubled and fearful young master.

By the time they arrived at Hailongtun, Yang Xiang had completely changed his attitude, addressing Wang Shouren as "Master" and personally leading and shoving his horse, acting entirely as his disciple.

"Sir, we've arrived at Hailongtun," Yang Xiang said respectfully.

Wang Shouren nodded, gazing at the majestic and precipitous mountain city. It was surrounded by cliffs on three sides, with sheer walls as if carved by a knife and axe, plunging straight into the valley floor, making the terrain extremely dangerous.

Through the painstaking efforts of the Yang family for more than ten generations, countless fortresses and passes were built against the mountain, layer upon layer, protecting Hailong City atop the mountain! The city walls of Hailong City were even taller and sturdier, with numerous arrow towers and neat battlements, inspiring awe and preventing any covetous thoughts.

As Wang Shouren ascended the mountain, he carefully observed the defensive layout of Hailongtun. Just as he had memorized it, a powerful horn sounded from the mountain fortress, echoing among the mountains.

Immediately afterwards, countless Bozhou soldiers, clad in armor and wielding sharp blades, filed out of Hailong City, their steps powerful and perfectly synchronized!

They stood in formation along both sides of the mountain road, raising their long swords, the blades crisscrossing diagonally, forming a gleaming array of blades that was too intimidating to look at.

Yang Lian hurriedly whispered to Wang Shouren, "This is the etiquette my Yang family uses to welcome distinguished guests. It's meant to demonstrate the might of my Bozhou army and also to give our guests a show of force..."

He paused for a moment, then explained, "There's nothing we can do; barbarians fear power but don't appreciate kindness."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouren burst into laughter, declaring with unrestrained boldness, "It doesn't matter, I'm short!"

Having said that, he dismounted, head held high, chest puffed out, and went straight into the formation of swords.

Countless blades reflected the sunlight, so bright it was blinding, but Wang Shouren didn't even flinch, calmly climbing the steps.

Occasionally, soldiers from Bozhou would deliberately brandish their long swords, the blades clashing together with a crisp clang, their sharp edges aimed directly at his face. Wang Shouren remained completely unfazed, striding confidently through the array of swords until he reached the gates of Hailong City.

Before the city gate, Yang Bin stood surrounded by a group of Bozhou leaders, not wearing the official robes of the imperial court but rather old Tang Dynasty armor. He saw Wang Shouren calmly step out of the sword formation and couldn't help but nod approvingly.

Yang Xiang whispered something unrelated in Wang Shouren's ear: "Sir, the young man in brocade robes behind my father is my younger brother, Yang Zhang. He's the one who instigated my father to plot something wicked."

Wang Shouren glanced at the gloomy-faced young man behind Yang Bin, nodded slightly, and whispered, "No matter what happens after you go in, don't make a sound. Come find me tonight."

"Hahaha! Mr. Yangming, how have you been?" At this moment, Yang Bin took the lead in bowing, his voice booming like a bell.

Wang Shouren calmly returned the greeting with a cupped hand, saying, "Your Excellency's demeanor remains as elegant as ever, and you have gained even more heroic bearing."

"Hahaha, it's natural to speak louder on your own turf." Yang Bin leaned against Hailong Xiongcheng, looking utterly smug.

After exchanging pleasantries, he stepped aside and gestured for Wang Shouren to enter the city. A grand banquet was then held in the Zhongxiao Hall, the main hall of the city, to welcome Master Yangming.

After several rounds of wine and dishes, Yang Bin, holding a wine cup, looked intently at Wang Shouren and said with a hint of pride, "Sir, along your journey, have you seen any of the fortified passes of my Bozhou?"

“Dangerous.” Wang Shouren nodded.

Yang Bin's smugness deepened, and he pressed on, "Then are the troops under my command formidable strength?"

“Magnificent.” Wang Shouren nodded decisively as always.

Yang Bin then said in a gruff voice, "The world is in chaos now, and the imperial court is powerless to control the four directions. If I were to take this opportunity to raise an army and plot something big, do you think this is a good idea?"

Wang Shouren put down his wine cup and said without hesitation, "No."

Yang Bin's face darkened, and his subordinates' eyes flashed with ferocity. Wang Shouren, however, remained unfazed and continued, "These troops under your command are only familiar with mountain warfare in Bozhou. They may be able to dominate within Bozhou, but once they leave Bozhou, they will have no advantage against the imperial army."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, you barbarians, how could you possibly gain the support of the people of the Great Ming? Without the support of the people, how can you plot anything great?"

"You're talking nonsense! My Yang family is descended from the Yang clan of Taiyuan, a true descendant of the Chinese people!" Yang Bin immediately flew into a rage, and his subordinates looked like they wanted to devour him.

"If the Chinese are treated like barbarians, then they will be treated like barbarians—the people of China will not shamelessly discuss treason in the Hall of Loyalty and Filial Piety!" Wang Shouren laughed proudly and said, "Doesn't Your Excellency know what you've been through in the Provincial Judicial Office? You consider yourself a Han Chinese, but do you think the Han Chinese will consider you a Han Chinese?"

"Wang Shouren, do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?!" Yang Bin blushed instantly, his defenses completely broken! The Yang family's self-deception for more than twenty generations was ruthlessly shattered by Wang Shouren.

“I am but a lowly postmaster. What is there that the magistrate would not dare to kill?” Wang Shouren, however, acted as if he had long since disregarded life and death, and smiled and said, “You also know that I am the eighth most treacherous official on the list of treacherous ministers. The higher-ups sent me here to die. Dying here with you will at least leave my name in the history books. It’s a very worthwhile deal!”

(End of this chapter)